The University of Denver has several early-round prospects for the NHL draft today and Saturday. Coach George Gwozdecky spoke highly of the four prospects, and added that the players demonstrate the success of recruiting efforts at DU.
“You’re only as good as the players you have in your program,” Gwoz- decky said.
Though the scouting rankings point toward which round the athletes will be selected, associate head coach Steve Miller said it’s always a guessing game with the draft. Round one of the draft is tonight, and rounds two through seven will be Saturday morning.
Defenseman Scott Mayfield (6-foot-4, 197 pounds) is ranked No. 24 among North American skaters. The 18-year-old St. Louis native committed for 2011 to DU, where his father went to law school. He recently finished his second season with the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League, scoring 16 points (7-9-16) in 52 games.
DU center Nick Shore (6-0, 195 pounds) is ranked No. 56 among North American players, dropping from No. 38 at midseason. The sophomore-to-be scored seven goals (7-11-18) and 18 points in 28 games, fighting to recover from a broken wrist in the season opener.
“I’m trying to go in without any expectations,” Shore said. “A lot of hype is put into the draft, but it’s more about what team you end up going to rather than what round.”
Forward Zac Larraza (6-2, 192 pounds) is ranked No. 70 among North American skaters, up from No. 98 at midseason. The Scottsdale, Ariz., left wing committed to DU for fall 2011 after playing for the U.S. under-18 team in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Josiah Didier (6-2, 199 pounds) is ranked No. 108, up from No. 198. He’s an 18-year-old defenseman from Littleton who committed to the Pioneers for the fall of 2011. He’ll play one more season in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, of the USHL.
